The Houston Astros are like that friend who always seems to be in the mix, you know? They’ve been a dominant force in the American League for years, racking up division titles and making it to the ALCS seven times in a row between 2017 and 2023. They even snagged those World Series rings in 2017 and 2022.
But last season, they hit a bit of a speed bump. Tarik Skubal and the Detroit Tigers came into Houston and swept them right out of the playoffs. Ouch! That early exit definitely left a sour taste in their mouths.
But hey, that’s baseball, right? You dust yourself off and come back stronger. And that’s exactly what the Astros are doing this offseason. They’ve already made some savvy moves, bringing in Christian Walker to hold down first base and Isaac Paredes to take over at third with Alex Bregman likely moving on.
But there’s one big hole they still need to fill: right field. They traded Kyle Tucker to the Cubs, and now they need a new slugger to patrol the outfield. And you know who I think would be a perfect fit? Anthony Santander!
This guy has been a hitting machine for the Orioles. Last season, he crushed 44 home runs and drove in 102 runs with an .814 OPS. And it’s not like this came out of nowhere. He’s been consistently putting up big numbers for years.
It sounds like Santander is on his way out of Baltimore, and the Astros should be all over this. They need a power bat in the outfield, and Santander is the perfect solution. He might not hit for the same average as Tucker, but he’s a switch hitter, which gives them more flexibility in the lineup.
Plus, Santander is a solid defender and he’s incredibly durable. He’s played over 150 games in each of the last three seasons, while Tucker struggled with injuries last year. You can’t underestimate the value of having a guy you can pencil into the lineup day in and day out.
The Astros have set a high bar for themselves. They expect to be in the championship conversation every year. And with a roster already loaded with talent, adding Santander could be the final piece of the puzzle. He’d solidify their outfield and give them another offensive weapon to help them get back to the World Series.
Keep an eye on this situation, folks. If the Astros can land Anthony Santander, they’ll be sending a clear message to the rest of the league: they’re not going anywhere, and they’re coming for that trophy!
